‘In Flanders Fields’ WWI poem John McRae

The context of In Flanders Fields This is a poem of remembrance, a call for those living not to forget the dead who are buried in a foreign land. It demands that the living remember why the fallen died, so that they did not die in vain. This is one of the most famous poems of the First World War.

The context of In Flanders Fields The First Battle of Ypres, also called the First Battle of Flanders was a First World War battle fought for the strategic town of Ypres in western Belgium. The poppies referred to in the poem grew in profusion in Flanders in the disturbed earth of the battlefields and cemeteries where war casualties were buried and thus became a symbol of Remembrance Day.

John McRae Was a Canadian writer and surgeon who fought in the First World War. He was fighting in Ypres at the time that he wrote the poem. John McCrae wrote Flanders field to express his feelings after the death of a young friend and former student, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer of Ottawa who had been killed on May 2, 1915, by a shell burst. He wrote the poem to express his anguish and his feelings towards war and what he saw was happening.

Meaning of the poppies in ‘Flanders Fields’ May interpret them as symbols of people who have the courage and perseverance to carry on with life amid turmoil.  From its association with poppies flowering in the spring of 1915 on the battlefields of Belgium, France and Gallipoli this vivid red flower has become known for the great loss of life in war. Represented colour and life in a devastated landscape

In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields. John McCrae

In Flanders Fields poem analysis- FLIRTS Form How many stanzas? The poet takes on the persona of a dead soldier, speaking on behalf of the other fallen men. Second stanza, end stop mid line – effect – abrupt and unexpected. L Language What examples of literary devices can you find? (repetition, metaphor, emotive language) Crosses are emotive, immediately associate them with death and graves. I Imagery Fill in the section on imagery using your ideas from the drawing task. R Rhythm / rhyme Is there a particular rhythm? What is the rhyme scheme? T Tone / mood How you describe the tone or theme of the poem? Give examples from the poem S Subject Describe the subject of the poem. Contrast life and death – give a message to the living soldiers. 8